RTAF Celebrates 15 Years of Gripen and Saab 340

Khaosod•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Royal Thai Air Force held a ceremony on July 20, 2026, to mark the 15th anniversary of Gripen and Saab 340 aircraft entering service.

•The event took place on July 20, 2026, at Wing 7 in Surat Thani Province.
•The celebration featured an 'Elephant Walk' with 9 Gripen C/D and 5 Saab 340 aircraft.
•Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha highlighted the role of Gripen C/D in supporting joint operations during Thai-Cambodian border incidents.
•The Royal Thai Air Force is implementing the 'Burapha Santi' project to acquire Gripen E/F aircraft to replace F-16s at Wing 1.

•The Royal Thai Air Force organized a celebration on July 20, 2026, at Wing 7, Surat Thani, for the 15th anniversary of Gripen C/D and Saab 340 aircraft service.
•The event included a flight demonstration and an 'Elephant Walk' involving a total of 14 aircraft to symbolize combat readiness.
•Air Chief Marshal Ukrit Boontanon stated that the vision in 2011 led to the current readiness and modern warfare ecosystem of the Royal Thai Air Force.
•Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha noted that Gripen C/D and Saab 340 have achieved nearly 100% success rates in critical conflict situations.
•The Royal Thai Air Force acquired 12 Gripen C/D aircraft from Sweden in two phases between 2008 and 2013, with the first batch entering service on July 7, 2011.
•Gripen C/D aircraft played a significant role in Thai-Cambodian border incidents in 2025.
•The 'Burapha Santi' project has completed Phase 1 with the procurement of 4 Gripen E/F aircraft at a budget of 19,500 million baht.
•The Royal Thai Air Force plans to procure 8 more Gripen E/F aircraft in Phase 2 by the 2028 budget year to complete a squadron of 12 aircraft.

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Royal Thai Air Force(กองทัพอากาศ)ℹ️

The military organization celebrating the 15th anniversary of Gripen and Saab 340 aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal Ukrit Boontanon(พล.อ.อุกฤษฏ์ บุญตานนท์)

The Chief of Defence Forces who attended the anniversary ceremony.

Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha(พล.อ.อ.เสกสรร คันธา)

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal Itthiporn Supavong(พล.อ.อ.อิทธพร ศุภวงศ์)

The initiator of the Gripen fighter jet procurement project and former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal Prajin Chantong(พล.อ.อ.ประจิน จั่นตอง)

A former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force involved in the Gri{pen procurement project.

Air Chief Marshal Phanpakdee Phatthanakul(พล.อ.อ.พันธ์ภักดี พัฒนกุล)

A former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force involved in the Gripen procurement project.

Wing 7(กองบิน 7)

The airbase in Surat Thani Province where the anniversary event was held.

Surat Thani Province(จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี)ℹ️

The location of Wing 7.

Wing 1(กองบิน 1)

The airbase in Nakhon Ratchasima Province where F-16s are being replaced by Gripen E/F.

Nakhon Ratchasima Province(จ.นครราชสีมา)ℹ️

The location of Wing 1.

Sweden(สวีเดน)ℹ️

The country from which Gripen C/D aircraft were purchased.

Burapha Santi(บูรพาสันติ)

The project name for procuring 12 Gripen E/F aircraft to replace F-16s.

Royal Thai Air Force White Paper(สมุดปกขาวกองทัพอากาศ)

The document specifying the procurement of Gripen E/F aircraft.